Stephanie Obarianyk

On Monday, November 18th, 2013 Miss Stephanie Obarianyk passed away peacefully at the Central Butte Regency Manor.  Stephanie was born on July 5th, 1919 at the farm homestead on SE 33-18-4-W3 to parents Michael and Eva Obarianyk.  There she grew up helping her mother look after a large and growing family and learning a dedicated work ethic which served her all of her life.  She took her schooling at Jefferson School only a short walk down the prairie road.  Stephanie moved to Regina where she took a stenography course and became employed with the Saskatchewan Government in the Department of Public Health, a position she held until her retirement in the early 80’s.  During this time she was instrumental in assisting to bring her aunt Pearl and family over from Russian concentration camps during the holodomor.  She travelled Europe and developed a keen interest in architecture and art revealing her talents in creations at the Wheeler farm of beautifully painted murals, carved columns, and in needle point artistry.  Her ability to design and complete intricate needle point art without pattern is evident in the tapestries she made encompassing everything from upholstered furniture and cushions to a finely done lampshade.  Dedicated to her work ethic, she taught her nephews and nieces the value of hard work whether on the farm or at your employment, and patiently showed by example the value in keeping a vegetable garden and the joy of a flower garden.  Stephanie was a “feminist” long before it became fashionable, doing a “mans” work and standing toe to toe with anyone who thought a woman’s place was only housework.  Her independence was evident in her choice of automobile.  Post war she purchased her first new car, a Hudson, this gave way to the robins egg blue Plymouth convertible which she bought after seeing it in the Santa Claus Day Parade.  The next choice was a tiny VW Karman Ghia convertible which she loaded up every weekend with antique furniture from the Wheeler place to be stripped and refinished by hand in Regina and returned to the farmhouse.  After many years of service the Karman Ghia was traded for a Volvo Sports car though she had really wanted a Porsche.  All through the years accompanying her in the car was a faithful poodle often dyed a vibrant colour.  Stephanie was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Eva; by her brothers: Vladimir (Oliva), John, Alexander, Father Basil (Reverend), Myroslaw (Russel), Nicholas (Gaylene) and Michael; sisters, Mary Obarianyk in childhood and Anne Forsberg (Edward); and brother-in-law, Anthony Matwe.  Stephanie is survived by sisters, Mrs. Katherine Matwe and Mrs. Olga Hasselback (Robert); sisters-in-law, Ann Obarianyk and Christina Obarianyk; as well as many nieces and nephews.  Her smile was genuine and her laughter music to our souls.  The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 26th, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in Saint Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Thunder Creek with Reverend Father Yurij Lazurko as presiding celebrant.  A Prayer Service will be held on Monday, November 25th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  James Murdock, Funeral Director 306-693-4550.